Knockers letter for the day: C
Cavalier - in general approach and manner
Complacent - during the game complacency was rife.

An early meet at the Tap was seemingly easy for most of the team having played league cricket the day before and forcibly falling asleep due to severe exhaustion - well okay make that for two people anyway, the rest being a bit worst for ware the night before and turning up in various states at the pub. However a pub lunch was enjoyed by all even after the long wait for the food. After some indecision Trouncey decided that food was in order and he almost held up the days play by his eating habits. Pete Smith was so late to the pub that he couldn't even get any food.

Anyway, the team arrived at Ide Hill with plenty of time to spare. A hive of activity was the result with rugby, catching, baseball and many other impromptu games being played prior to the start. Captain of the day Ken Cowan sensibly lost the toss and enabled us to bat. Edward Irwin somehow got himself in the opening pair along with debutant Alex Spencer-Allen, one of the trio of Spencer-Allen brothers on display during the game. They enjoyed an opening partnership of 43 with Sp-Allen being the dominant partner putting his older counterpart to shame with no chances given (unlike Irwin, dropped second ball behind). Irwin was eventually bowled playing indecisively for 29. Shortly afterwards A Sp-Allen was caught for 23 proving that his entrance to the team was justifiably early at 14 years old. Thomas with his normal painting by numbers (but applied to batting) style was the top scorer. His 58, including 5 sixes was suitable for Martin. 18 scoring shots to produce 58 was enough to prove this. Peter Smith and Guthrie Miller both floundered on 2 before being caught bringing L and C Sp-Allen to the centre. Corin was solid for a few overs before being lured by Steven Lynch into a mistimed drive which was easily caught. Ken Cowan and Lynden enjoyed a partnership before Lynden was bowled by a ball that didn't get up off the ground for 39. All-round star for the day Steve Trounce joined the fray with Cowan and they both ended up not out to take the score onto 202-7, Cowan returning with 27 and Trounce 2.

Entering into the field with the 10 players that Knockers could mster up (due to wisdom teeth removal and general slackness) the team looked a fearsome bunch. L Sp-Allen(3.1-2-3-1) opened proceedings at one end on an interestingly bounced wicket. Taken off after two overs having returned 2 wickets for 1 run it was left with Irwin the other opener and G Miller to carry on. Irwin(4-0-1-12) took one wicket and Miller(7-1-0-25) failed to take any with some indifferent spin(/seam) bowling - verging on the appalling. Enter Trounce the spearhead of the Knockers attack. His figures of 12-6-2-26 were unfair due to one of the simplest dropped catches by Peter Smith at mid off (which he paid for later in fines) and a disallowed chance from Irwin due to lack of vision from the umpires. Darry also aided the avalanche of wickets with 4 wickets from his four overs at half a run a piece(4-2-4-2). By this time they were 9 wickets down and the last wicket was merely a formality (-complacency). Peter Smith joined the attack for all to see his prowess. 3 overs later and 31 runs dearer, the team decided that they had seen enough and he was replaced by the youngster A Sp-Allen who bowled tidily (3-1-0-3). C Sp-Allen bowled a variety of spin, medium and fast to no avail as the overs whittled down and the last wicket was still not taken. L Sp-Allen was brought back to get the last wicket with two overs left of the last twenty and the defense of Ide Hill was impenetrable. C Sp-Allen tried again for the last of the twenty but to no avail as well. The majority of the team walked towards the pavilion extremely annoyed that what should have been an easy victory was a draw, only to be called back for another over as it wasn't 7.30pm yet. Lynden stepped up to bowl and in bad light released a fast ball which was edged by the batsman ready to fly over Martin Thomas behind the stumps. His reactions though were faultless and he plucked the ball out of the sky before anyone else could even move for the ball to give the knockers the win they deserved, much to the jubilation of the whole team.

It was left only for the Fines committee to meet afterwards to award the fines. Pete Smith was the most successful on the day returning more than double a fine than he scored in runs at £5. Team ties were purchased by 4 players, the matter of team subs were brought up - naming and shaming next week - and the Knockers tour for the 50th anniversary. More information to be made available as soon as possible.

The Knockers winning streak is set to continue into next week when the team shall search out a victory against Frant, one of the teams where such a thing has seemed impossible for the last few years.